HARRISBURG, Pa. — Former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, a Republican who has broken ranks in the past with the GOP, gave Democrat Joe Sestak his second major endorsement from moderates in a week in his bid for a hotly contested Senate seat in Pennsylvania.Hagel told The Associated Press on Monday that Sestak has demonstrated during his two terms in Congress that he puts the interests of the nation and his constituents ahead of his party.
"I think he's exactly what our country needs more of. I think he's what the Senate needs more of — courageous, independent thinking," Hagel said. "That's what the job is about. You are supposed to use your judgment."
Hagel refused to comment on the candidacy of Sestak's opponent, Republican Pat Toomey, a former congressman.
The men are seeking the seat long held by Sen. Arlen Specter, a Republican-turned-Democrat whom Sestak beat in the primary.
Hagel plans to announce his endorsement Tuesday at news conferences with Sestak in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
The two have military ties: Hagel, a moderate Republican, is a Vietnam war veteran, while Sestak is a 31-year Navy veteran who reached the rank of vice admiral before retiring in January 2006.
via msnbc.msn.com
more information on Sestak here is some info on Hagel * In August 2006, Hagel was one of only 12 Senators who refused to write the EU asking them to declare Hezbollah a terrorist organization. * In October 2000, Hagel was one of only 4 Senators who refused to sign a Senate letter in support of Israel. * In November 2001, Hagel was one of only 11 Senators who refsued to sign a letter urging President Bush not to meet with the late Yassir Arafat until his forces ended the violence against Israel. * In December 2005, Hagel was one of only 27 who refused to sign a letter to President Bush to pressure the Palestinian Authroity to ban terrorist groups from participating in Palestinian legislative elections. * In June 2004, Hagel refused to sign a letter urging President Bush to highlight Iran's nuclear program at the G-8 summit.
- Info from the Jewish Internet Defense Force
I expect better
